The Swan Lake Fire can be seen from above on Monday, Aug. 26 on the Kenai Peninsula, Alaska. (Photo courtesy Alaska Wildland Fire Information)

Burn suspension lifted for Kenai Peninsula and Kodiak

The public is asked to remain vigilant while burning due to minimal available resources.

The Swan Lake Fire can be seen from above on Monday, Aug. 26 on the Kenai Peninsula, Alaska. (Photo courtesy Alaska Wildland Fire Information)
Commanding Officer Corey Engel, Rear Adm. Megan Dean, and former ASPEN Commanding Officer Shea Winterberger smile for a photograph during the Change of Command ceremony on Thursday, June 26, 2025, on the Homer Spit in Homer, Alaska. (Chloe Pleznac/Homer News)

USCG ASPEN changes command

Commanding Officer Corey Engel will be in charge of the cutter’s operations and crew.

Commanding Officer Corey Engel, Rear Adm. Megan Dean, and former ASPEN Commanding Officer Shea Winterberger smile for a photograph during the Change of Command ceremony on Thursday, June 26, 2025, on the Homer Spit in Homer, Alaska. (Chloe Pleznac/Homer News)
Runners start from Homer High School during the Homer Spit Run 10K to the Bay on Saturday, June 28, 2025, in Homer, Alaska. (Delcenia Cosman/Homer News)

Running to the finish

The Homer Spit Run on Saturday drew nearly 250 participants.

Runners start from Homer High School during the Homer Spit Run 10K to the Bay on Saturday, June 28, 2025, in Homer, Alaska. (Delcenia Cosman/Homer News)
Volunteers repair the trails at Erik Hansen Scout Park in Kenai, Alaska, on Wednesday, June 25, 2025. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

Volunteers revitalize Kenai scout park

Kenai’s Erik Hansen Scout Park overlooks the mouth of the Kenai River in Old Town.

Volunteers repair the trails at Erik Hansen Scout Park in Kenai, Alaska, on Wednesday, June 25, 2025. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
A sockeye salmon rests atop a cooler at the mouth of the Kasilof River on Monday, June 26, 2023, in Kasilof, Alaska. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
A sockeye salmon rests atop a cooler at the mouth of the Kasilof River on Monday, June 26, 2023, in Kasilof, Alaska. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Traffic passes by South Spruce Street in Kenai, Alaska, on Tuesday, June 10, 2025. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

Planning commission withholds support for Spruce Street name change

A city council proposal would change the name to Kenai Beach Street.

Traffic passes by South Spruce Street in Kenai, Alaska, on Tuesday, June 10, 2025. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Council member Jordan Chilson speaks during a Soldotna City Council work session on the Soldotna Field House in Soldotna, Alaska, on Wednesday, April 9, 2025. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

Soldotna council rejects effort to change meeting times

A resolution calling for meetings to bumped up from 6 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.

Council member Jordan Chilson speaks during a Soldotna City Council work session on the Soldotna Field House in Soldotna, Alaska, on Wednesday, April 9, 2025. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
The Cowles Council Chambers are seen in Homer City Hall on Pioneer Avenue in April 2025 in Homer, Alaska. (Homer News file photo)

Homer mayor recognizes Parks and Recreation Month, ADA Awareness Day

Parks and recreation areas are fundamental to the environmental well-being of the community, the proclamation said.

The Cowles Council Chambers are seen in Homer City Hall on Pioneer Avenue in April 2025 in Homer, Alaska. (Homer News file photo)
A variety of peony blooms grow vibrantly on Pioneer Avenue on Thursday, July 25, 2024, in Homer, Alaska. (Delcenia Cosman/Homer News)

6th annual Peony Celebration begins July 1

The festival will run in Homer through Aug. 17.

A variety of peony blooms grow vibrantly on Pioneer Avenue on Thursday, July 25, 2024, in Homer, Alaska. (Delcenia Cosman/Homer News)
A line of antique cars proceeds down Pioneer Avenue during the Fourth of July parade on Thursday, July 4, 2024, in Homer, Alaska. (Delcenia Cosman/Homer News)
A line of antique cars proceeds down Pioneer Avenue during the Fourth of July parade on Thursday, July 4, 2024, in Homer, Alaska. (Delcenia Cosman/Homer News)
KBNERR Education and Harmful Species Monitoring Program staff host McNeil Canyon Elementary School students at Pier One Beach in May 2025 to monitor for invasive European green crabs. Students assisted with checking traps and recording data of native crab and fish species caught and released. Photo courtesy of Katherine Schake

Proposed funding cuts threaten research reserve

A “pre-decisionary” memo on budgetary cuts to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration shows no federal funding for National Estuarine Research Reserves.

KBNERR Education and Harmful Species Monitoring Program staff host McNeil Canyon Elementary School students at Pier One Beach in May 2025 to monitor for invasive European green crabs. Students assisted with checking traps and recording data of native crab and fish species caught and released. Photo courtesy of Katherine Schake
Swimmers and parents protest the proposed closure of Kenai Peninsula Borough School District pools outside of the Kenai Peninsula Borough Administration Building in Soldotna, Alaska, on Thursday, June 26, 2025. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

Pool funding OK’d as district looks to hand off facilities to communities

School pools have repeatedly been raised as a possible option for closure and then saved at the last minute.

Swimmers and parents protest the proposed closure of Kenai Peninsula Borough School District pools outside of the Kenai Peninsula Borough Administration Building in Soldotna, Alaska, on Thursday, June 26, 2025. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Students stand during a protest against the possible closure of Sterling Elementary School along the Sterling Highway in Soldotna, Alaska, on Saturday, May 3, 2025. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Students stand during a protest against the possible closure of Sterling Elementary School along the Sterling Highway in Soldotna, Alaska, on Saturday, May 3, 2025. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Seal pup PV2511 poses for a photograph on June 14, 2025 at the Alaska Sealife Center in Seward, Alaska. She was rescued by the site of a "popular fishing spot" in Homer on June 12, 2025. (Photo courtesy of ASLC)

SeaLife Center urges public to leave seal pups alone, after a recent uptick in admits

If you see a hurt or disabled pup, call the Stranded Marine Animal Hotline at 1-888-774-SEAL (7325).

Seal pup PV2511 poses for a photograph on June 14, 2025 at the Alaska Sealife Center in Seward, Alaska. She was rescued by the site of a "popular fishing spot" in Homer on June 12, 2025. (Photo courtesy of ASLC)
Aspen Creek Senior Living residents, dressed as the Statue of Liberty and Uncle Sam, roll down the Kenai Spur Highway in Kenai, Alaska, during the Fourth of July Parade on Thursday, July 4, 2024. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

Kenai to celebrate Independence Day with annual parade

The Kenai Fourth of July parade is set to start at 11 a.m. on Trading Bay Road.

Aspen Creek Senior Living residents, dressed as the Statue of Liberty and Uncle Sam, roll down the Kenai Spur Highway in Kenai, Alaska, during the Fourth of July Parade on Thursday, July 4, 2024. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
The Soldotna Field House in Soldotna, Alaska, is showcased to the Soldotna Chamber of Commerce on Wednesday, June 25, 2025. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

Soldotna previews field house as opening nears

Soldotna’s Parks and Recreation Department previewed the facility to the Soldotna Chamber of Commerce on Wednesday.

The Soldotna Field House in Soldotna, Alaska, is showcased to the Soldotna Chamber of Commerce on Wednesday, June 25, 2025. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
The Soldotna Field House in Soldotna, Alaska, is showcased to the Soldotna Chamber of Commerce on Wednesday, June 25, 2025. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

Hospital to sponsor free walks for seniors at field house

Through June 2027, seniors aged 65 and older will be able to use the field house walking track from Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to noon.

The Soldotna Field House in Soldotna, Alaska, is showcased to the Soldotna Chamber of Commerce on Wednesday, June 25, 2025. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
A salmon is carried from the mouth of the Kasilof River in Kasilof, Alaska, early in the morning of the first day of the Kasilof River personal use sockeye salmon dipnet fishery on Wednesday, June 25, 2025. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

Kasilof dipnetting opens

Dipnetting will be allowed at all times until Aug. 7.

A salmon is carried from the mouth of the Kasilof River in Kasilof, Alaska, early in the morning of the first day of the Kasilof River personal use sockeye salmon dipnet fishery on Wednesday, June 25, 2025. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
A band performs during the Family Fun in the Midnight Sun festival at the North Peninsula Recreation Center in Nikiski, Alaska, on June 21, 2025. (Photo by Jonas Oyoumick/Peninsula Clarion)

Midnight afternoon

Nikiski turns out for annual solstice festival.

A band performs during the Family Fun in the Midnight Sun festival at the North Peninsula Recreation Center in Nikiski, Alaska, on June 21, 2025. (Photo by Jonas Oyoumick/Peninsula Clarion)
A sign warns of beaver traps in Kenai, Alaska, on Tuesday, June 24, 2025. (Jonas Oyoumick/Peninsula Clarion)

Kenai works to abate flooding caused by beaver dams

Dams have caused flooding near Redoubt Avenue and Sycamore Street.

A sign warns of beaver traps in Kenai, Alaska, on Tuesday, June 24, 2025. (Jonas Oyoumick/Peninsula Clarion)

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